Women today are supposed to have it all. But in reality, we lead busy lives, which rarely allow time for self-reflection and personal improvement.  Asa result, we experience stress, self-doubt and low confidence about our futures and ourselves.

Below are a few exercises you can do to reverse these negative feelings and start on the path to self-empowerment and confidence.

Give thanks for your favorite traits or characteristics

What makes you “you?” Is it your smile, eyes, contagious laugh or ability to listen your friends and family? Identify three or more traits or characteristics that you love about yourself. Write them down and go back to the list daily and verbally give thanks for those traits. This practice will boost your confidence and make you feel more comfortable about who you are and what you have to offer the world and the people in your life.

Identify and minimize negative influences

Are there habits, activities or people in your life who regularly cause you stress and anxiety? These negative influences can block you from feeling good and achieving your goals. Consider your professional and personal relationships. Focus on those relationships where you feel understood and supported and let other relationships go. How do you feel about your actions at home? What if you replaced some television time with a soothing bath? Do you spend too much time stressed about an untidy house? Get your children or loved ones more involved in chores or reduce clutter by donating items you don’t need to a charity or thrift store. You have a limited amount of time, so make choices that reduce your interactions with negative people and influences.

Make time for yourself

Set aside a few minutes each day for yourself. Even 15 minutes of “me” time will do. Take that time to sit quietly or go for a walk alone outside. Let go of the day’s worries and problems. Think about how it feels to be putting your feet up or walking through the neighborhood and try to connect with the sights and sounds around you in that moment.  Slowing down and being observant is refreshing and helps you get through the rest of your day.

Achieve one small change

Being self empowered means recognizing that you have the tools to become the person you want to be. Do you have a larger goal of starting your own business, running a marathon or learning how to speak another language? Take a baby-step and make one small change in your life that helps you to achieve the larger goal. Maybe you’ll sign up for a business management class, join a conversation group or begin a work out plan to run a 5k. Starting with achievable smaller goals gives you a sense of purpose and helps you work toward a more radical change.

For more happiness and self-empowerment tips visit www.LaurieMarsden.com. Laurie Marsden is a licensed psychotherapist and breast cancer survivor helping women change their lives and find themselves.